Founded in 1816, the port city of Hamilton, Ontario has grown to become the third largest metropolitan area in Ontario and the ninth largest in Canada in the 2016 census. Hamilton is known for a lot of things including being the waterfall capital of the world. Bet you didn’t know that! The Niagara Escarpment is home to more than 100 waterfalls within the city limits. Take that Iceland.
Being only an hour outside of Toronto and with exceptionally lower housing prices, it’s no wonder millennials are moving West in droves. With the opportunity to find Hamilton houses in urban areas or on rural farm land, there’s something in the area for every Hamiltonian.
Curious as to why more Canadians are choosing to live in Hamilton?
Great for travel
I mean need I say more? That should be the end of this whole article! Just kidding, but in all seriousness, Hamilton is in a great geographical position if you’re looking to get away.
Hamilton makes a great spot Rail and freeway connections to Toronto and Buffalo, and New York. In addition, Hamilton has an international airport that is quickly becoming a traveler’s favourite with its much cheaper flights leaving from there. If you’re still finding the flights too expensive from Canada you can always drive over the border and fly out of Buffalo or the Niagara airport in the state of New York.
Museums
Fancy yourself more of a culture vulture? Hamilton is home to several museums, including the Art Gallery of Hamilton, McMaster Museum of Art and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. You could easily spend an entire weekend exploring Hamiltons best.
You can’t forget the infamous Dundurn Castle either, not only does it make a great Instagram shot, it’s got lots of history to it. The neoclassical Dundurn Castle also operates as a museum and is a National Historic Site of Canada.
The Party Scene
Is partying more your thing? You can’t beat a good University kegger.
In addition to Mohawk College and Redeemer University College, McMaster University has their main campus in Hamilton and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. Unless of course, you’re over 30 in which case you absolutely should not be going to those and need to find your own source of entertainment!
The city also has the some of the best concerts outside of Toronto. Last year they even hosted the Canadian Country Music Awards. It was a really fun show!
Festivals
Throughout the year, Hamilton hosts several festivals for the community. Among these festivals is the popular Festival of Friends music festival founded in 1975. Festival of Friends is currently the largest free music event in the country.
As the city is located on Lake Ontario, Hamilton holds the annual Great Lakes Expo7 to help generate interest in improving and protecting fresh water within the Great Lakes.
Sports
Hamiltonian sports fan have plenty of opportunities in the city. The city’s first major sporting event was hosting the first Commonwealth Games in 1930.
Since then, Hamilton has gained major sports complexes, such as Tim Hortons Field and First OntarioField, professional sports teams the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Forge Football Club, as well as the semi-professional soccer team Hamilton City Soccer Club.
Sister-Cities
Hamilton is the sister-city to nine different cities. Among it’s sister-cities, it has held a relationship with Flint, Michigan, since 1957, making it the oldest continuous sister-city relationship between a U.S. and Canadian city. Hamilton and Flint hold the annual CANUSA Games for young amateur athletes in both cities.
Waterfalls
Of course I’ll save the best for last! As mentioned before, Hamilton is home to over 100 waterfalls within the city limits and escarpment. That’s plenty of opportunity for outdoor entertainment. Of course, you can’t forget one of the world’s most famous waterfalls in Niagara.
Imagine being able to explore the waterfalls every weekend? It would take you ages to see them all!
So have we convinced you to consider moving to Hamilton yet?
